Martinez Returns Interception 100 yards in Win

October 24, 2009

The Doane football team survived an early scare from Dordt College on Saturday afternoon and held on for a 24-12 victory over the Defenders in Crete. The win moves the Tigers' record to 2-6 overall and 2-5 in the GPAC while Dordt fell to 1-7 overall and 0-7 in the GPAC.

Doane safety Vince Martinez played a key roll in the victory for the Tigers as he finished with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. His second interception was taken back 100 yards for a school-record return and touchdown while at the same time, stopping a Dordt drive that had advanced to the four-yard line.

Dordt opened the game with an 86-yard kickoff return to the one-yard line but was called back to the 25-yard line of Doane because of a block in the back. Dordt was still able to come away with a touchdown as Garret Milton hit Sam Du Mez for a 27-yard strike. The extra point attempt was missed wide-right.

Doane was halted on their next possession but a roughing the kicker penalty on the Doane punt gave the Tigers new life and Doane finished a 15 play, 80 yard drive with Anthony Dunn hitting Eamonn Feeney for a five-yard touchdown pass.

Dordt looked poised to score on the following drive as they drove down to the 25-yard line of Doane but Martinez picked up his first interception and returned it 69 yards for the Tigers. His interception set up a Michael Vargas two-yard plunge and Doane took a 14-6 lead.

Doane was able to force a punt on Dordt's next possession and the Tigers put together five plays to drive down to the Defender 17-yard line before a fumble ended the drive. Two plays into the Defenders' drive, Dave Wragge recovered a fumble to give the Tigers excellent field position at the Dordt 26-yard line.

Doane's drive ended immediately as they tried to go to the end zone on the first play and Anthony Hallum intercepted Dunn.

The momentum was on Dordt's side as they drove down and scored a touchdown to pull within two points, 14-12. The two-point conversion was missed.

As halftime was approaching, Dordt took possession on their own 32-yard line and drove down to the Doane four-yard line. Their go-ahead pass attempt was intercepted by Martinez and he took it the distance to give Doane a 21-12 lead at halftime.

The only scoring in the second half was a fourth quarter 42-yard field goal by Andrew Nielsen of the Tigers and Doane closed out the 24-12 victory.

Doane finished the game with 292 yards of total offense while Dordt posted 264.

Michael Vargas led the Tiger rushing attack with 99 yards and the one touchdown. Garrett Schroeder added 69 rushing yards.

Dunn finished the game 13-of-18 for 90 yards through the air. Feeney caught six of Dunn's passes for 41 yards.

Dordt was led offensively by Josh VanKempen's 84 rushing yards. Milton threw for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 11-of-16 passing with two interceptions.

Doane was led defensively in tackles by Dalton Ryba's nine total tackles, two for lost yardage. Selau Sunia and David Wragge each finished with six total tackles. Sunia finished with a team-high 2.5 tackles for a loss. Martinez finished with three total tackles, one for lost yardage, to go along with his two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

The Defenders received 10 total tackles from Matt Postmus. Will McClain added nine total tackles.